How universal is the desire for individuality?

QL2 Centre for Youth Dance (Canberra, Australia) and Maya Dance Theatre (Singapore) present a new dance work - Standing in line in order of height - which explores conformity and individualism in Singaporean and Australian culture, at Gorman House Arts Centre, Canberra from June 10-12; and then in Singapore from June 17-19.

Developed through collaboration between QL2 and Maya, the project aims to develop choreographic skills and cross-cultural links between the young dancers from Queensland University of Technology and La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore.

Maya’s Creative Director Kavitha Krishnan has worked in traditional Asian and contemporary forms in Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Taiwan and South Africa. QL2’s Artistic Director Ruth Osborne is recognised in Australia and internationally for her collaborative work with young people. Working from London and as a resident in Canberra for the last year, Liz Lea is an award-winning choreographer specialising in contemporary dance and Bharata Natyam classical Indian dance.

Ruth Osborne says the partnership and collaboration

“exemplifies a developing new model of dance education in Australia, where university study forms part of a continuum of development for a dance artist, with other strands building strong educational connections between students and the wider ecology of dance.”

And that “wider ecology” is a boon for audiences, who will see new intercultural work like Standing in line in order of height.

You can catch Standing in line in order of height at QL2 Theatre, Gorman House Arts Centre in Canberra from June 10-12. For tickets and more information, visit www.QL2.org.au.